The Maliau Basin Conservation Area is a natural catchment area, which has remained unknown for millions of years.

It was only recently that the Maliau Basin Conservation Area, situated just above the Equator in south central Sabah, began to be explored for its beautiful and natural wonders.

There are more than 30 species of mammals, 270 bird species and over 80 species of orchids, rare and endemic, were recorded. Numerous waterfalls have also been discovered throughout the Basin.

The Maliau River drains through a gorge out of the southeast of the Basin into the Kuamut River, which in turn feeds into the Kinabatangan, the longest river in Sabah.

There is so much to discover in the unspoilt wonderland, and due to its importance in the conservation of the ecosystem, visitors to the park are limited especially at the various camps set up.

* Images of Maliau Basin, courtesy of Sabah Tourism.

Key Tips

The Basin is almost unvisited and completely uninhabited by man.

How To Get There

Plane
Visitors can arrange to get on a plane from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau, before proceeding with own arrangements to Maliau Basin.

Who To Contact

The Secretariat Maliau Basin Conservation Area Research & Development Division Yayasan Sabah Group P.O. Box 11622. Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Tel: (6 088) 326300 / 326318 Fax: (6088) 326316 / 326315 Email:albinus@icsb-sabah.com.my http://www.ysnet.org.my/maliau http://www.borneoforestheritage.org.my

Maliau Basin Sabah

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This island was formed through the eruption of several mud volcanoes. The last explosion happened in 1941 and since then the volcanoes have remained relatively passive.

Several small mud volcanoes spewing cool, mineral-rich mud can still be found near the summit of the island. The notion that this mineral rich mud is good for your skin makes mud-bathing a must-do activity on this island.

The island’s lush green jungle serves as a soothing backdrop, while the fine, white sand beaches and the clear unpolluted water are a wonder for nature lovers.

The coral reefs encircling the island are home to many species of fish and other marine life. Among the activities that await you here are diving, non-motorised water sports, trekking, bird watching and mud bathing.

The Park Headquarters is situated on the southern side of the island, not far from Pulau Tiga Resort, the only resort facility available on the island.

Key Tips

Pulau Tiga and Pulau Kalampunian offer great snorkelling just a short distance from the beach.

How  To Get There

By Road
From Kota Kinabalu, drive 140km south to Kuala Penyu at the Klias Peninsula, then board a boat to the islands.

By Sea
The islands are 18km away and about 45 minutes by boat. Some tour agents also organise tours and ferry services to the islands.

Malaysia’s only oceanic island, it is very small – only 12ha. in size. A 25-minute walk is all that is required to circle the island on foot. As an oceanic island, it rises about 700 metres from the sea floor, attracting diverse marine life from the blackness of the open sea. Surrounded by crystal clear waters, this crown jewel is a treasure trove of some of the most amazing marine animals.

Declared a bird sanctuary in 1933 by the Colonial Government of North Borneo and re-gazetted in 1963 by the Malaysian Government, the dense vegetation on Sipadan Island supports a large variety of tropical birds which include sea eagles, kingfishers, sunbirds, starlings and wood pigeons. Exotic crustaceans including the amazing coconut crab roam the beaches and scurry among the undergrowth.

When diving here, encounters with turtles, resident schools of jacks, bumphead parrotfish and barracudas are almost assured around the tiny coral island.

Key Tips

Try to be part of an early-morning dive to Sipadan at the famous Barracuda Point. In the early hours of the morning, you are most likely to swim amongst big schools of swirling barracuda…

How To Get There

By Air
The jump off point to Sipadan Island is Kota Kinabalu or Tawau.

By Car
Continue the journey by a 1-hour drive to Semporna town.

By Sea
A 30-minute speedboat will take you to Mabul, which is the jump off point for Sipadan Island explorations.

Accommodation: www.dynamictourism.com

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The best time to visit is at 10.00 am and again at 2.30 pm when the primates emerge from the forest for their daily ration of bananas and milk. You can see the orang utans being fed from a platform in the centre. Nicknamed the ‘Wild Man of Borneo’, the orang utans are returned to the forest when they can fend for themselves.

Aside from the orang utan, over 200 species of birds and a variety of wild plants can be found within the 5.666 hectares of forest reserve.

Key Tips

As flash photography is not allowed during feeding times, make sure you set your camera to ASA 400 or higher, as it’s quite dim in the jungle.

How To Get There

By Bus
From the local bus stand next to the Sandakan waterfront market, board the blue bus marked ‘Sepilok Batu 14′ (Sepilok – 14th Mile). The 30-minute bus ride will take you directly to the rehabilitation centre. Regular buses, marked ‘Batu 14′ or higher, will drop you at the turn-off to Jalan Sepilok. However, you’ll have to walk 1.5km to get to the Orang Utan Centre.The last bus leaves Sepilok to Sandakan at 4:30 pm.

Who To Contact

For more information, please contact Sabah Tourist Office Tel: +6088-248 698 / 211 732

Accommodation: www.dynamictourism.com

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To visit the caves, permission must be obtained from the Idahan elders. Visitors may visit the District Office in Lahad Datu town to make prior arrangements for entrance permission.

Key Tips

The most valuable – and rarest – nests are the white ones, which can fetch RM2,000 or more per kg.

How To Get There

By Road
The caves are near the Lahad Datu-Tawau Highway. The turn-off is 69km from Lahad Datu. Watch out for the signpost that says ‘Gua Madai’. From the turn-off, it is 3km to the caves.

By Bus
All buses between Lahad Datu and Semporna or Tawau will pass the turn-off to the caves. From here, you’ll be able to find a minivan to take you to the caves. But you might have to walk back out to the highway to catch your ride back.

Who To Contact

For more information, please contact Sabah Tourism Office Tel: +6088-248 698 / 211 732

Madai Caves Sabah

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